Page 2768 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 14 August 1991
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My Liberal colleagues and members of the Rally have already clearly articulated very valid reasons for the retention of the move-on powers and to me, clearly, the powers are working. Community awareness of the move-on powers since their inception has grown to the extent that people are now moving of their own accord when police attend situations where it is likely that persons will be asked to move on. One of the many benefits arising from the move-on powers is the ability of the police to quieten potential trouble areas before any formal charges need to be laid. This saves valuable resources, both human and financial, being tied up in a protracted legal process.
Mr Speaker, the facts speak for themselves. I understand that until 30 June 1991 there have been approximately 2,060 persons moved on and only 19 people arrested for failure to comply with the said request. A recent survey indicated that a vast majority of Canberrans were in favour of retaining the move-on powers. I note that other members have already quoted from that survey, but I do think it is very important that, of the 434 people surveyed, 86 per cent supported the police move-on powers.
The people surveyed were from across the age spectrum, from under 20 years to over 60, and the results, I think, speak for themselves. One of the very interesting results to come out of that survey was that some 85 per cent of people under the age of 20 showed support for the power. I would like to personally thank the committee involved in putting this survey together and also, Mr Speaker, acknowledge members of VOCAL in the gallery. How I wish there was not a need for an organisation such as VOCAL in our community.
The role of the police in the community is changing and the attitude of both to law enforcement must change to keep pace with the requirements of society. The move-on powers are very helpful in this area. They are of great assistance in defusing potentially violent and dangerous situations and they also can make the public view police in a different light.
Mr Speaker, I believe that it is a vote for commonsense for the move-on powers to be retained. Supporting this very sensible Bill really is voting in a commonsense and practical manner. I urge all members today to think long and hard about the victims in our community. Just from the survey alone, of the 430-odd surveyed, one in three people in our community are victims, and that is a very disturbing factor. This is, unfortunately, an ever increasing number of people, and I think that anything we can do to assist them must be done. I commend the Bill to the house.
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